Portsmouth Jan^y 2^d 1797 [Naval agents] I Received your favour 22^d communicating the proposals from the Sec^y of War for Superintending &c. the frigates which I accept and have wrote him by the last post to that effect— the Compensation is small —but as every one in Public Service is paid with great Oeconomy I must also [undecipherable] Shall enter on the Requisite duties to day — in your Communications and directions on the Several heads, you will please To be as expleticit as possible: you have a full and complette Knowledge of the whole Business local, Official, and Professional; Hackett and my Self expects to derive much Assistance and advantage from your Situation & Knowledge— In return I hope you will meet with our Joint Reward and friendships — and full compensation from the publice for your unremitted attention and Industry, to the busines whilst you Remained here to which I was often Witness — shall expect in due course, instructions from the Secretary of War &c. your most Ob^t Servant Tho^s Thompson piece of Cordage here 16 dollars p^r bolt— best english N^o 1 & Bridport N^o 2 17 dollars p^r Bott— Sailmakers for makeing a suit 2½ Dol^rs p^r Both 38 y^ds including Coping &fixing — shall the lower yards have Sheaves at yard arm or Topsail Sheet Blocks — shall they be Slung over the Top or have [undecipherable] Blocks & two fold shall the Topsails have 2 ble hallyards 1 on each side [Address panel: of M^r. Josiah Fox / [undecipherable] War Office / Philadelphia] [Docket: [Ports]mouth January 3^d 1797 / [undecipherable] Thompson]